Can Sjogren S Syndrome Cause Blindness

The condition affects 0 1 to 4 percent of people in the u s and 90 percent of people with sjogren s are women.

Can sjogren s syndrome cause blindness.

Dry eyes can lead to light sensitivity blurred vision and corneal damage. It causes the eyes and mouth to dry out and can also lead to tooth decay. Sjogren s syndrome is known to dry out the mouth creating a cotton mouth feeling which can make it difficult to swallow or speak. Sjogren s syndrome is a condition in which the body s immune system attacks its own moisture producing glands.

One such severe demyelinating disease is termed the neuromyelitis optica spectrum of disorders nmosd and may rapidly cause blindness and paralysis. Sjögren s syndrome is a systemic disease in which the defining clinical features dryness of the eyes and mouth arise from an autoimmune process affecting the lacrimal and salivary glands. Sjogren s syndrome also can cause dryness of the mouth that can lead to tooth decay or even loss of teeth. A sialography is an x ray of the salivary glands and ducts.

Sjogren s can cause problems for our vision so you ll want to use eye drops regularly and see your eye doctor once or twice a year. For most sufferers it attacks the salivary gland and the lacrimal glands which produce tears it can also affect the bowels and other moisture glands in the body. Sjögren s syndrome ss is a rheumatic disease that may include central nervous system cns complications including demyelinating diseases that can affect the brain and the spinal cord. A thorough consultation with a health professional is critical.

This autoimmune disorder is one of the leading causes of blindness in the united states because chronic poor blood sugar control can cause damage to the small blood vessels in the back of the eyes. Sjogren s syndrome destroys glands responsible for lubricating eyes and other parts of the body. The glands usually appear grey on ultrasound images but in people with sjögren s syndrome round black areas can be seen in the scans. Use of mouth lubricants artificial saliva may be needed to keep the mouth adequately moist and to assist in swallowing.

If you do that you shouldn t have to worry about blindness. It may occur either alone or in the context of another autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus. Sjogren s syndrome was named after henrik sjögren a swedish eye doctor.